When looking into redesigning your workspace, it is important to consider the impact that the decisions you make can have on the work ethic of your employees. When most of us think ‘office space’, various shades of grey and beige are what immediately come to mind; however, these bland design choices are commonly accompanied by unmotivated staff that struggle to find the right spaces in which they can concentrate.
We understand that neutral colours may seem like the safest of options, but they’re extremely uninspiring and known to bring down the productivity of your work force; producing a missed opportunity to express company culture and reinforce how spaces can, and should, be used. Adding a small dash of colour to your interior fitout is just one of the many design choices known to affect work performance.
Knowing how to achieve the right kind of workplace to properly reflect your business is something that can prove challenging, but the below ideas can provide the solution on how to turn your office from a mundane environment into a place to inspire innovation and creativity.
Don’t shy away from Bold Colours
It’s a very well-known fact that colour can have an impact on our mood; experiencing psychological changes when exposed to certain colours which can thus have an impact on the productivity of your team. Knowing the correct colour to choose will completely depend upon your aims for your business and the kind of change you want to promote within the productivity and motivation of your work force. If your goal is to inspire employees, ensuring they’re energised and enthusiastic while at work, you may want to opt for the warmer colours on the spectrum, such as reds, oranges, and yellows. These are shades that will be of most use in main areas of an office space where most of the work is carried out; promoting productivity and a positive attitude within the workplace.
If you’re aiming for the opposite effect, typically in spaces such as break rooms and various other hangouts where your team will want to go to relax, colours of a cooler tone are those that will have the most effect. Shades of green and blue can help your employees to feel more calm and relaxed when taking those much needed breaks, giving them a proper opportunity to unwind and recharge before returning to work.
Providing those that work for you with proper areas to take a break is something commonly overlooked but can, in the long run, work wonders for promoting proper motivation and will have employees returning to their desks refreshed and feeling ready to resume their work.
While neutral colours are something that can come in handy, you shouldn’t be afraid to go for a bolder look when improving your working environment to boost productivity. Consider the use of colour more of an organisational tool or chance to support your brand, utilising the brand colours in the redesign, rather than just a simplistic design choice!
Promote a feeling of community within the Office Space
A common mistake in office design is the misconception that putting up dividers between desks will increase productivity and encourage workers to focus on the task at hand rather than socialising with their colleagues. However, this often has the opposite desired effect; causing employees to become unmotivated and less likely to enjoy their time spent in the workspace.
Separating your employees can dramatically bring down the overall mood of your work force, causing individuals to feel isolated and thus less motivated throughout the day. Providing them with co-working spaces can be a great solution to this, helping to encourage a sense of community and collaboration. This can help employees to view the work they’re carrying out as more meaningful; increasing overall levels of motivation and inspiration.
Incorporate a sense of Wellness to your refurb
Dotting a few plants around your office space may seem like the most obvious trick in the book, but is a small investment that can actually work wonders for the quality of life employees experience while in a working environment. Incorporating natural materials and elements such as live greenery, reclaimed wood, and stone, can have a serious impact on both the health of your task force, and their outlook of the workspace; creating a more positive environment overall.
Investing in health focused furniture in your interior fitout, such as standing desks and chairs that work to promote good posture, is another change that you can make to help to improve the quality of your offices, encouraging employees to care for their physical health and decreasing the chances of them developing any issues in the future, such as back pain, that can accompany long periods of sitting.
It is also vital that you ensure the less obvious aspects of wellness are tended to with effect, such as proper temperature control, good quality of air and acoustics, as well as an appropriate amount of natural lighting. Utilisation of window space is something often not given any second thought, but providing natural light to your employees vastly improves their motivation.
Communication comes first
Employee engagement starts at good communication. Having an environment where people can easily converse, innovate and bounce ideas of one another is imperative to keeping employee productivity at a high standard.
With this in mind, creating a space for your employees to have formal and informal conversations and interactions should be a priority. Many offices are now allocating more than just one chair per employee, with chairs located at the workers desk, in communal seating areas with big couches and standing desks, or in a collaboration centre designed to help innovate ideas through communication. Having these areas in place opens up your office and provides more creative opportunities within the workplace.
Inclusive spaces
According to a study conducted by Harvard business review, back in 2011, employees are 37% more productive, and seven times more likely to stay when they feel connected to the company. This is a huge statistic, and should definitely be worth thinking about when designing an office space.
Creating a work place that reflects your company’s ideology of inclusiveness and diversity, will engage your employees really well. Things such as open plan office spaces, communal areas, clear doorways into office and good lighting, all work together to provide a space that your employees will enjoy spending time in.
Keeping the balance
Of course, there are a wide range of employees to accommodate for, and every individual work well in different conditions, some may prefer quiet, small spaces to work, and others may prefer a large communal environment to work more efficiently. Keeping the balance between open plan areas for creativity to flow, and quieter spaces for working hard, provides an accommodating place to work, whilst not alienating any of your workers through the design.
Removing the clutter
Clutter is often seen as a hindrance to working efficiently, with 13.5% of employees surveyed agreeing that a clear workspace drives their performance and efficiency.
Especially within open plan offices, keeping wires tied and out of sight, filing papers correctly and having proper storage for your files, makes the space look a lot tidier and more inviting. Having a messy and unorganised area will only distract any current employees from working to their full capacity, as well as put off any potential new employees or clients.
The Importance of Lighting
The significance of lighting in the workplace cannot be overstated. Natural light, in particular, is a coveted asset for any workspace design. It has been consistently linked with increased productivity, better mood, and a decrease in eye strain and headaches, thereby reducing absenteeism and boosting employee engagement.
However, the reality of architectural limitations means natural light cannot always be the primary source of illumination. This is where strategic lighting design comes into play.
Artificial lighting solutions can mimic natural light, promoting alertness and reducing fatigue. Colour temperature is a critical factor; cool white lights are invigorating and are best for areas requiring focus and concentration, while warmer tones suit collaborative spaces, creating a relaxed atmosphere that encourages open communication.
Dynamic lighting systems that adjust throughout the day can align with our natural circadian rhythms, further enhancing employee productivity and well-being.
The Role of Interior Decor
Decor encompasses all elements of a workspace’s interior design, from the colour of the walls to the furniture and art. The psychology of colour suggests that different hues can evoke different emotions and behaviours – blue, for example, is often associated with productivity, while green can reduce stress.
Integrating brand colours can also enhance a sense of identity and belonging among employees.
Furniture and layout play a crucial role in supporting a productive environment. Ergonomic furniture not only reduces the risk of musculoskeletal disorders but also signals to employees that their well-being is a priority.
Flexible workspaces that cater to different tasks and working styles can foster collaboration and creativity, allowing employees to choose how and where they work best.
Art and greenery are not merely decorative; they’re functional. Art can inspire and evoke creativity, while plants can improve air quality and reduce stress, creating a more pleasant and productive workplace.
To discover what we can do for you, visit our interior fitout services page; alternatively, why not have a look at our previous projects to learn how we work to increase productivity in the office space?